Parents' Guide to

Little Robot

By Darienne Stewart, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Sweet, surprising story of friendship and courage.

Book Ben Hatke Friendship 2015
Little Robot Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 6+

Based on 1 parent review

Janelle Brin
Janelle Brin Adult
April 3, 2016
age 6+

colorful, adventurous and heroic

The story is adventurous while still dealing with really important issues that you can discuss with your child, making this a great SHARED FAMILY TEXT. Issues of poverty, loneliness, and friendship are central to this story. The main character is inspirational, and her decision-making throughout the course of the novel is something you and your child can discuss as she works tirelessly to save her new robot friend. This book is also EXCITING! It has a serious WOW factor for your child in terms of plot and action, robots and character, and a villain that just won’t stop. It is definitely a page turner that can become a delightful LOW STAKES TEXT for your family. http://spikedogbooks.wordpress.com

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

A young girl slips away from her home in a trailer park to explore a dumping area in the woods. She opens a trashed box and discovers a little robot. The girl helps him learn to get along in the world, from taking his first steps to understanding what it means to be alive. He's happy for her friendship, but he longs to find other creatures like him. Meanwhile, a large, menacing robot dispatched to find the lost worker bears down on them. He captures the robot and rumbles away with him. The little girl, armed with her tool kit, sets out to save him and their friendship.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (1 ):

Loneliness and longing get lovely treatment in this nearly wordless book by Ben Hatke, who's created another gem of a heroine with the barefoot, nameless, wrench-wielding brown-skinned girl. She's the heart of LITTLE ROBOT, striking out on her own in pursuit of adventure and finding an unusual friend.

There's little dialogue: Many pages pass without words, punctuated only by the "jonk" and "pling" of machines or the mewlings of a cat. Hatke packs in lively action sequences and ominous suspense but also takes advantage of opportunities to pause along the way: to soak up a sunset, feel the rumble of a passing train, or quietly observe a dead squirrel. The little girl's expressive face is an understated marvel -- guarded, joyful, soft and open, friendly, fierce. She's a charming flag-bearer for creative, independent spirits ... who make wonderful friends.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the graphic novel format. Would you enjoy this story as much -- or more -- if it were a more traditional chapter book or a movie?

  • At the story's start, do you think the little girl is sad or content to be on her own?

  • How does this girl compare with other female characters in books you've read?

Book Details

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